What You Need for Quality Results on a Construction Project

Completing projects at a high level of quality minimizes rework on a job and makes it more likely that you will get repeat and referral business. Construction quality is determined by whether projects are finished within the guidelines of a scope of work that meets the owner’s requirements. It includes completion of specified tasks within the schedule and budget set forth in the contract.

Obtaining quality results on a construction project involves making use of standards, technology and lessons learned.

 

Standards

Job quality depends on setting standards for using quality materials, collecting data and documenting changes uniformly using products like Autodesk Docs.

Often represented as a unit (QA/QC), these are actually two distinct processes: quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC). Quality assurance, which might involve checklists and audits, determines if the plan, training and tasks on a job will result in meeting the project’s quality requirements.

Quality control tracks whether a job is being/has been completed in compliance with the contract requirements and standards. It can include recommendations for corrections if needed. The QC process might involve subcontractor qualification, jobsite supervision, and bid and submittal reviews. QA and QC processes reduce risk and improve quality. As an example, Autodesk Build can help connect workflows for quality and safety management.

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Technology

Conducting regular risk assessments is an important part of the quality process. Intelligence technology – machine learning tools for instance – can help with active risk assessment and mitigation. The best tools are the ones that can help predict, prevent and manage risk. This can contribute to job quality and improve project closeout.

In addition, Autodesk cloud-powered pre-construction solutions like BIM Collaborate can keep project teams working together closely on up-to-date information to avoid costly errors caused by using uncoordinated information.

Lessons Learned

Tracking the lessons you’ve learned on previous jobs and putting them to strategic use will improve the quality of your future projects. According to an Autodesk Construction Blog article, fewer than half of contractors and trade professionals have an established process in place to use findings from past projects to inform future work. You could transcend that statistic and perhaps learn ways to better support your team and communicate more clearly. Building on your lessons learned, you can continue to hone your quality processes.

Autodesk Build has a Quality Management Toolkit that includes example workflows, a QA/QC guide, and sample digital checklists to help you manage quality on your projects.

Construction quality can be improved by standardizing processes, using technology to mitigate risk and taking advantage of lessons learned to improve future jobs. Although occasionally things may arise that can interfere with management of your project’s quality, putting certain processes in place can help ensure you attain the best possible outcomes.

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